by Stephen Brown

[ACNS source: Ecumenical News International] The Archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams, has reaffirmed his personal support for the consecration of women as bishops in the Church of England, but said the final decision rested with the church as a whole.

"I cannot find any theological objection myself to women becoming bishops if we accept women becoming priests, said Dr Williams, the leader of the Anglican Communion, on Tuesday at a European church gathering in Trondheim, Norway.

"The question is in what way and at what pace is that appropriate," he said. "Theologically, yes; but in practical terms I wait to see what is possible and listen to those on all sides."

The Church of England started ordaining women as priests in 1994 but does not accept women as bishops.

Anglican churches in the United States, Canada and New Zealand already have women bishops. The Scottish Episcopal Church voted in June to accept women as bishops.

The issue is being considered in the Church of England by an investigating body known as the Rochester Commission, which is due to report in 2004 or 2005.

Dr Williams, enthroned as Archbishop of Canterbury in February, was speaking at an informal gathering during the12th assembly of the Conference of European Churches in Trondheim where he preached at the meeting's closing worship service on Wednesday.